cargo shipping- household goods??

Lauren,

After months of believing we would pack most of our stuff ourselves and parcel post it down to STX (we are not taking any furniture with us), reality set in about a month ago that there is no way we wanted to take that on. During our premove visit in April, we had first hand experience talking with folks who had moved and had some dealings with the government that opened our eyes (and exhausted us before we packed a single item!).

Once we realized the complications of trying to figure out what all the abbreviations on the cargo shipping company quote forms just to get an estimate and then picking a shipping company, plus trying to coordinate getting our pre packed items to the nearest port and then into a cargo container, plus having to create our own inventories/bill of lading for each box to satisfy insurance and customs requirements, plus securing a different moving company on St. Croix to pick up our cargo from the dock, get it through customs for us and get it delivered to our house, we finally decided that our energy and sanity were well worth the price of working through one St. Croix based company with US-based partners to coordinate it all.

The amount of stress this lifted from my back is beyond description! With one phone call to Jerri at Continental Movers, I was hooked up with a local company who will come to our house, pack anything we don't ant to and do all related paperwork, load it and get it to the Baltimore harbor, turn it over to the sea cargo company who will ship it and hand it off to Continental, who will get it through customs and deliver it to our new house. Making these arrangements only took 45 minutes, thanks to the local rep who walked me through every room to estimate the weight of the shipment so we could have a full quote.

We know this is going to be costly, but since I use a wheelchair and we have to be out of our house here in less than three weeks, the money is a terrific investment in my marriage (so my hubby doesn't have to do al the physical labor), and our mental health. Mow we can move on to the really challenging issues that remain -- finding temporary housing here or (preferably) on St. Croix where we and our three cats can stay until we close on our new island home.

I will post updates of the good, the bad, and the stressful as the move progresses -- good luck to you in your move!

HipCrip

Hey! If you're moving from Wisconsin and end up buying cargo freight space, I might be interested in sharing some of the cost. I'm re-relocating back to STX from Wisconsin in July and have a couple of big items (too big for USPS) that I'd like to ship but can't figure out how as they don't justify renting a whole container.

With regard to shipping a car out of Florida, I've shipped two times (and am planning a third) with Tropical Shipping out of West Palm Beach. Nothing but good news to report there.

Email me at virginbound at yahoo dot com if you want to chat about this further.

Good luck!

HipCrip,

First of all, thanks for taking the time to tell your particular moving story..

I do like the idea of dealing with just one agent- I agree that it is probably worth what ever it will cost. There are 5 of us (2 adults & 3 kids) and we will be bringing quite a load of stuff. (even after the moving sale, giving & throwing stuff away!)

Could you please post the phone number or e-mail address for Jerri @ Continental Movers. I've been checking out lots of websites for cargo shippers, but I don't recall seeing a website for them...

I hope your move goes well, but even if it doesn't- remember that you are lucky to be moving to such a wonderful place! Keep all of us updated!

Lauren Luz

Hi--
I have been working w/ Crowley since they are the only ones that ship from SF to STT. I am new to all this, but they have been very helpful and great to work with. I will be shipping a 20' container to transport a car and a few pieces of furniture. I hope things continue to go as well as they are now.
deb

Tropical Shipping is a great company as well. 305-687-8767 or 340-776-8767

Deb & Pamela-

Thanks for the info!

I'll be making inquiries with both of those shippers- it's nice to have a handful of bids from different shippers.... After all, most of us are on rather tight budgets!

Lauren Luz

Lauren,

The contact info for Continental Movers is 800-316-6418 or 340-773-2105. Fax is 340-773-3313, and the email address I have for them is movevi@viaccess.net

Hope it all works out for you.

And thank you, Cheryl, for the great list in interview questions to ask -- it is always good to remember that you get what you pay for and saving a little here can cost you a lot later on.

HipCrip.

My husband and I plan to move to STT in August. We are in the process of talking with several shipping companies. We just learned from one of the shipping companies that as of January 2004 the Virgin Islands instituted a 4% tax on any used personal items that are shipped to the islands. So far, however, the tax department has been inconsistent with this tax in that it is difficult to assess. Has anyone had to pay this tax? Thanks.